Tragic news to report. Actor James Avery passed away on Tuesday. The 65-year-old actor reportedly succumbed to complications following open heart surgery. Avery was best known for his role as Uncle Phil in the hit 1990’s series, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Avery was also known for providing the voice of The Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series.
James Avery has a vast and storied career in the entertainment industry. Avery’s most famous role was that of the Banks family patriarch, A.K.A. Uncle Phil, on NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Aside from that role, Avery also starred in a near countless number of parts from feature films to TV. Avery also provided the voice for a number of iconic cartoon characters, including roles in Spider-Man, Iron Man, Aladdin, Duckman, Pepper Ann and even Hulk Hogan’s Rock n Roll Wrestling.
However, his most famous voice acting role was for the villainous Shredder in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series.
Alfonso Ribeiro, the actor who played Avery’s former on-screen son, Carlton Banks, on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, tweeted his condolences
“I'm deeply saddened to say that James Avery has passed away. He was a second father to me. I will miss him greatly.”
Avery isn’t the only member of the Fresh Prince family to pass away recently. 54-year-old producer Jeff Pollack passed away in December. Pollack’s body was found in a jogging section of Hermosa Beach,California.
Avery’s wife Barbara was reportedly beside him the entire time following his recent heart surgery. She had just stepped away for a brief minute when he passed.
Our thoughts are with Avery’s family and friends through this difficult time. What was your favorite James Avery role? Share your found memories in the comments section below.
R.I.P. James Avery. November 27, 1948-December 31, 2013.
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